Inclusive ICT and Communication Services for All
The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) monitors the electronic communications and postal sectors in Sweden, and is one of 22 strategic authorities responsible for ensuring that the objectives of the Government’s Disability Policy are realized.
PTS has been assigned by the Government to ensure that crucial services within telephony, the internet and postal services are available for all citizens, including people with different kinds of disabilities.
The Swedish Government’s Disability Policy follows the intentions of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The policy is based on the principle of universal equality of human dignity and human rights. For example that information and communications technology (ICT) should be available for all.
At PTS a group of specialists are dedicated to the task of providing the society with information and services that fills the gap of accessible communication solutions that is provided by the market. This is done with collaboration projects, studies, investigations and procurement of accessibility services such as:
- Free directory enquiries
- Relay service for video telephony
- Relay service for text telephony
- Administrative support during phone calls
- Free dispatch of literature in Braille
- Postal services for elderly and disabled in rural areas
PTS also invests a lot of time and money on innovation. Sweden has a strong history and development of innovations and technical improvements. We believe this is an important area to support to always push for more and better possibilities to include all people in the society that rapidly is getting more and more digitalized.
One example of innovation forward activities is the innovation competition PTS arranges since 2010. Through the competition,companies, universities, higher learning institutes and research institutes have a chance to apply for financing of service and product development as well as studies in the field of electronic communication.
All applications are thoroughly reviewed by both PTS representatives and also a council of experts, including representatives from the user groups and persons with technical and trade knowledge. So far more than 160 projects have received funding and expert advice.
If you have any questions, please contact:
e-mail: [email protected]
telephone: +46 8 678 55 00